Brochure - Five Rivers MetroParks

Volunteer
Opportunities
Looking for a fun
way to contribute
to your MetroParks
and enhance the
quality of experience
for park patrons?
There are a number
of ways to volunteer
in
your MetroParks. From
conducting tours to
interacting with children
and adults to greeting
guests or even tending
to the gardens at RiverScape, there’s a volunteer
opportunity to suit any age, physical ability, gender
or skill level. Training is provided. To learn more, visit
metroparks.org/volunteer or call (937) 275-PARK (7275).
Support Your MetroParks
By making a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks
Foundation, you support Five Rivers MetroParks’ mission to
protect the region’s natural heritage and provide outdoor
experiences that inspire a personal connection with
nature. Donations are tax deductible and used to support
programs and special projects. Sponsorships, tribute
benches and trees, and planned giving options also are
available. Visit metroparks.org/donate or call
(937) 275-PARK for more information.
RIVERSCAPE
METROPARK
U S E R ’ S
G U I D E
&
M A P
RiverScape MetroPark is located along the Great Miami River in
downtown Dayton on Monument Ave. between North Main Street
and Patterson Blvd. 237 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Parking near RiverScape MetroPark
• Downtown Dayton has roughly 15,000 public
parking spaces.
• Metered parking is free weekdays after 6 pm and all
day on the weekends.
• Visit EasyParkDowntown.org for a fully interactive
parking map.
It’s our nature.
This park is one of 25 outstanding public facilities operated by
your Five Rivers MetroParks system. Founded in 1963 to serve the
greater Dayton area, MetroParks protects more than 15,800 acres
of open space and provides year-round recreation, education and
conservation opportunities. Facilities are available to the public
free of charge — made possible by Montgomery County citizen
support of a property tax levy.
For More Information
Administrative Offices....(937) 275-PARK (7275)
Ice Rink..................................(937) 278-2607
Website.......................metroparks.org/riverscape
Ranger Assistance
Contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s
Office dispatcher at (937) 535-2580.
It’s our nature.
Printed in Montgomery County, with vegetable-based inks on 10% postconsumer waste paper at a Forest Stewardship Council-certified facility.
0316 • 5000
METROPARKS .ORG
There’s something happening year round at RiverScape MetroPark
RiverScape
MetroPark
Known for breathtaking landscapes,
RiverScape MetroPark has become
a favorite outdoor gathering place in
downtown Dayton. This hotspot has
offered a cool getaway in the middle of
the city with free concerts, educational
programming and the community’s
favorite cultural festivals amid the scene
of floral landscapes, hanging baskets and
relaxing swings.
Visitors to RiverScape MetroPark can
enjoy a covered pavilion perfect for
intimate concerts, festivals, community
events, or just a relaxing lunch with
friends. In the winter, this pavilion
houses an ice skating rink. Amenities for
recreational and commuter cyclists are
now a feature of RiverScape and provide
a welcome rest stop or starting point for
active individuals and families enjoying
our region’s extensive recreational
trail system.
RiverScape MetroPark is a vibrant and
active location, yet a relaxing gathering
spot for families and friends. For more
information visit metroparks.org/
riverscape.
Things to Do
RIVERSCAPE RENTALS –
Whether you want to be on
the river or riding alongside
it, bicycles, and child
accessories are available for
rental Saturdays and Sundays
and holidays, Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day
weekend.
BIKING, WALKING &
RUNNING – Positioned at
the center of more than 330
miles of connected, paved
bikeways in the Dayton region, RiverScape MetroPark
offers something for every walker, runner and cyclist.
RiverScape is the perfect stop whether you are passing
through or just starting out with restrooms, water and
places to rest, as well as a bike air pump and places
to lock your bike. Commuters can join the bike hub
for indoor bike parking, lockers and showers. Visit
metroparks.org/RiverScape for prices and hours.
RIVER LEVEE & WILDLIFE OBSERVATION – Visit the
historical markers on the fountain towers and plaques
describing the effects of the great flood of 1913. Pick
a favorite spot to fish. View the river from a swing on
a beautiful summer evening. Observe wildlife. It is an
excellent place to watch migratory and resident birds
— such as great blue herons, waterfowl and gulls — and
animals such as beavers and snapping turtles.
ICE SKATING – Bring your own ice skates or rent them
here for the whole family! RiverScape offers regular open
skating hours Thanksgiving weekend through February.
Information &
Regulations
Protect RiverScape MetroPark as a natural area: Do
not pick, collect or disturb plant or animal materials of
any kind. Hunting, frog gigging and swimming are not
permitted. Thank you for your cooperation.
PETS – Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and
under control at all times. We ask that guests please
leave their pets at home during events. Pets are not
permitted in the interactive fountain or reflecting pools.
ALCOHOL – Not permitted, unless served by vendors at
a special event in the park.
INTERACTIVE
FOUNTAINS – Water
play is restricted to the
interactive fountains in
Festival Plaza. Please do
not wade in the reflecting
pools.
BICYCLES – Bicycles
are permitted on the
paved bikeways and in
designated areas near
the bike hub. Remember
to yield to slower moving users and to walk your bike
inside the park. Bicycle racks are available in the park but
remember to bring your own lock.
PARKING – Metered parking is free weekdays after
6 pm and all day on the weekends. There are more than
30 parking garages/lots in the downtown area.
FISHING – A state of Ohio fishing license is required to
fish in the Great Miami or Mad rivers.
HOURS – Open year-round, including Christmas and
New Year’s Day.
It’s our
nature.
CONSERVATION
R E C R E AT I O N
E D U CAT I O N
INVENTORS RIVER WALK
DAYTON
INVENTORS
RIVER WALK &
INVENTION
STATIONS
The Dayton Inventors
River Walk includes
seven invention stations
that celebrate Dayton
inventions, sometimes
in surprising ways. The
brick medallions lead the
way along the walk, telling stories of other Dayton
inventors. A medallion at the northeast corner
of Main Street and Monument Avenue claims
Dayton to be the Innovation Capital of the World,
by virtue of the fact that Dayton has had more
inventions per capita than any city in the
United States.
SCORES OF
INNOVATION
STORIES TO TELL
The brick tiles through the
Inventors River Walk tell the
stories of such inventors as
Joe Desch, who cracked the
German “Enigma” code and put the Allies on the
course to victory in World War II. Learn about the
origins of Cellophane, digital watches, recycled
newsprint, Freon and “Star Wars” technology.
INVENTION STATIONS
Use the map on the reverse side of this
brochure to locate the invention stations.
SELF-STARTER
ENGINE
Inventor: Charles Kettering
Year: 1912
Charles F. Kettering led the automotive world in innovation
for decades and holds more patents than any American
except Thomas Edison. Prior to Kettering’s invention, drivers frequently broke their arms crank-starting their cars.
Kettering’s automatic starter ended the pain of turning this
heavy crank. The electric self-starter was introduced on the
1912 Cadillac. The pavilion also includes some of Kettering’s
clever quotes for which he was known.
SEARCH ENGINE
Inventor: Employees of Mead Data
Central, now LexisNexis
Year: 1960s
When searching the Internet for
MetroParks AND RiverScape OR Van Cleve Park NOT
Deed’s Point, you’ll be employing the Boolean search
method developed in downtown Dayton. This method of
searching — which uses “and,” “or” and “not” to define parameters — was so successful it led to LexisNexis becoming
a leading source of information, perhaps the information
source leader in the world.
ENGINE-POWERED
AIRPLANE
Inventors: Wilbur & Orville Wright
Year: 1903
The Wright brothers were the first to invent an airplane that
was able to make powered, sustained and controlled flights.
Their first plane, Flyer I, which was flown for 12 seconds in
1903, was the first man-carrying flight of an airplane powered
by an engine. This station is a model of the 1905 Wright
Flyer III, which the Wright brothers used to make more than
100 flights on nearby Huffman Prairie, perfecting it until it
became the world’s first practical fixed-wing aircraft. This
sculpture was created for MetroParks by Alabama artist
Larry Godwin.
HYDRAULIC JUMP
FOUNTAIN
Inventor: Arthur P. Morgan
Year: after 1913
This invention was created to prevent floods such as the one
that occurred in Dayton in 1913. Morgan developed the idea
for the hydraulic jump fountain on the farm of Col. Edward
Deeds, where they built models in his swimming pool. The
jump sends water through a series of baffles and steps, and
then finally into a low wall that forces the water back onto
itself, releasing its own energy. This technology is still used in
hydrological engineering throughout the world.
POP-TOP CAN
Inventor: Ermal Fraze
Year: 1959
As the legend goes, in the late 1950s, Fraze
was at a family picnic and wanted a beverage, but had forgotten the can opener so
he had to use the bumper of his car. In his frustration, Fraze
vowed to develop an easy-opening can.
CASH REGISTER
Inventor: James Ritty
Year: 1879
Two Dayton brothers came up with the
idea for the “incorruptible cashier” after
losing money to dishonest clerks. On
an ocean voyage, James Ritty, a saloonkeeper, visited the
engine room where he saw a machine rotating the ship’s
propeller. He partnered with his brother John, a machinist,
to develop the first cash register. John Patterson, a local
entrepreneur, bought two of the initial registers; five years
later, he bought the company that held Ritty’s patents sight
unseen and founded National Cash Register (NCR).
ICE CUBE TRAY
Inventor: Arthur Frei
Year: 1950
Working at Frigidaire, Frei developed 23
patents on the ice cube tray. One of his
most significant developments was the lever on top of the
tray that dislodged the cubes. Prior to that, the metal tray
had to be soaked in hot water to free the ice.
Volunteer
Opportunities
RIVERSCAPE
METROPARK
Looking for a fun
way to contribute
to your MetroParks
and enhance the
quality of experience
for park patrons?
There are a number
of ways to volunteer
in
your MetroParks. From
conducting tours to
interacting with children
and adults to greeting
guests or even tending
to the gardens at RiverScape, there’s a volunteer
opportunity to suit any age, physical ability, gender
or skill level. Training is provided. To learn more, visit
metroparks.org/volunteer or call (937) 275-PARK (7275).
Support Your MetroParks
By making a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks
Foundation, you support Five Rivers MetroParks’ mission to
protect the region’s natural heritage and provide outdoor
experiences that inspire a personal connection with
nature. Donations are tax deductible and used to support
programs and special projects. Sponsorships, tribute
benches and trees, and planned giving options also are
available. Visit metroparks.org/donate or call
(937) 275-PARK for more information.
U S E R ’ S
G U I D E
&
M A P
RiverScape MetroPark is located along the Great Miami River in
downtown Dayton on Monument Ave. between North Main Street
and Patterson Blvd. 237 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Parking near RiverScape MetroPark
• Downtown Dayton has roughly 15,000 public
parking spaces.
• Metered parking is free weekdays after 6 pm and all day on the weekends.
• Visit EasyParkDowntown.org for a fully interactive parking map.
It’s our nature.
This park is one of 25 outstanding public facilities operated by
your Five Rivers MetroParks system. Founded in 1963 to serve the
greater Dayton area, MetroParks protects more than 15,800 acres
of open space and provides year-round recreation, education and
conservation opportunities. Facilities are available to the public
free of charge — made possible by Montgomery County citizen
support of a property tax levy.
For More Information
Administrative Offices....(937) 275-PARK (7275)
Ice Rink..................................(937) 278-2607
Website.......................metroparks.org/riverscape
Ranger Assistance
Contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s
Office dispatcher at (937) 535-2580.
It’s our nature.
Printed in Montgomery County, with vegetable-based inks on 10% postconsumer waste paper at a Forest Stewardship Council-certified facility.
0316 • 5000
METROPARKS .ORG
There’s something happening year round at RiverScape MetroPark
RiverScape
MetroPark
Known for breathtaking landscapes,
RiverScape MetroPark has become
a favorite outdoor gathering place in
downtown Dayton. This hotspot has
offered a cool getaway in the middle of
the city with free concerts, educational
programming and the community’s
favorite cultural festivals amid the scene
of floral landscapes, hanging baskets and
relaxing swings.
Visitors to RiverScape MetroPark can
enjoy a covered pavilion perfect for
intimate concerts, festivals, community
events, or just a relaxing lunch with
friends. In the winter, this pavilion
houses an ice skating rink. Amenities for
recreational and commuter cyclists are
now a feature of RiverScape and provide
a welcome rest stop or starting point for
active individuals and families enjoying
our region’s extensive recreational
trail system.
RiverScape MetroPark is a vibrant and
active location, yet a relaxing gathering
spot for families and friends. For more
information visit metroparks.org/
riverscape.
Things to Do
RIVERSCAPE RENTALS –
Whether you want to be on
the river or riding alongside
it, bicycles, and child
accessories are available for
rental Saturdays and Sundays
and holidays, Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day
weekend.
BIKING, WALKING &
RUNNING – Positioned at
the center of more than 330
miles of connected, paved
bikeways in the Dayton region, RiverScape MetroPark
offers something for every walker, runner and cyclist.
RiverScape is the perfect stop whether you are passing
through or just starting out with restrooms, water and
places to rest, as well as a bike air pump and places
to lock your bike. Commuters can join the bike hub
for indoor bike parking, lockers and showers. Visit
metroparks.org/RiverScape for prices and hours.
RIVER LEVEE & WILDLIFE OBSERVATION – Visit the
historical markers on the fountain towers and plaques
describing the effects of the great flood of 1913. Pick
a favorite spot to fish. View the river from a swing on
a beautiful summer evening. Observe wildlife. It is an
excellent place to watch migratory and resident birds
— such as great blue herons, waterfowl and gulls — and
animals such as beavers and snapping turtles.
ICE SKATING – Bring your own ice skates or rent them
here for the whole family! RiverScape offers regular open
skating hours Thanksgiving weekend through February.
Information &
Regulations
Protect RiverScape MetroPark as a natural area: Do
not pick, collect or disturb plant or animal materials of
any kind. Hunting, frog gigging and swimming are not
permitted. Thank you for your cooperation.
PETS – Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and
under control at all times. We ask that guests please
leave their pets at home during events. Pets are not
permitted in the interactive fountain or reflecting pools.
ALCOHOL – Not permitted, unless served by vendors at
a special event in the park.
INTERACTIVE
FOUNTAINS – Water
play is restricted to the
interactive fountains in
Festival Plaza. Please do
not wade in the reflecting
pools.
BICYCLES – Bicycles
are permitted on the
paved bikeways and in
designated areas near
the bike hub. Remember
to yield to slower moving users and to walk your bike
inside the park. Bicycle racks are available in the park but
remember to bring your own lock.
PARKING – Metered parking is free weekdays after
6 pm and all day on the weekends. There are more than
30 parking garages/lots in the downtown area.
FISHING – A state of Ohio fishing license is required to
fish in the Great Miami or Mad rivers.
HOURS – Open year-round, including Christmas and
New Year’s Day.
It’s our
nature.
CONSERVATION
R E C R E AT I O N
E D U CAT I O N
INVENTORS RIVER WALK
DAYTON
INVENTORS
RIVER WALK &
INVENTION
STATIONS
The Dayton Inventors
River Walk includes
seven invention stations
that celebrate Dayton
inventions, sometimes
in surprising ways. The
brick medallions lead the
way along the walk, telling stories of other Dayton
inventors. A medallion at the northeast corner
of Main Street and Monument Avenue claims
Dayton to be the Innovation Capital of the World,
by virtue of the fact that Dayton has had more
inventions per capita than any city in the
United States.
SCORES OF
INNOVATION
STORIES TO TELL
The brick tiles through the
Inventors River Walk tell the
stories of such inventors as
Joe Desch, who cracked the
German “Enigma” code and put the Allies on the
course to victory in World War II. Learn about the
origins of Cellophane, digital watches, recycled
newsprint, Freon and “Star Wars” technology.
INVENTION STATIONS
Use the map on the reverse side of this
brochure to locate the invention stations.
SELF-STARTER
ENGINE
Inventor: Charles Kettering
Year: 1912
Charles F. Kettering led the automotive world in innovation
for decades and holds more patents than any American
except Thomas Edison. Prior to Kettering’s invention, drivers frequently broke their arms crank-starting their cars.
Kettering’s automatic starter ended the pain of turning this
heavy crank. The electric self-starter was introduced on the
1912 Cadillac. The pavilion also includes some of Kettering’s
clever quotes for which he was known.
SEARCH ENGINE
Inventor: Employees of Mead Data
Central, now LexisNexis
Year: 1960s
When searching the Internet for
MetroParks AND RiverScape OR Van Cleve Park NOT
Deed’s Point, you’ll be employing the Boolean search
method developed in downtown Dayton. This method of
searching — which uses “and,” “or” and “not” to define parameters — was so successful it led to LexisNexis becoming
a leading source of information, perhaps the information
source leader in the world.
ENGINE-POWERED
AIRPLANE
Inventors: Wilbur & Orville Wright
Year: 1903
The Wright brothers were the first to invent an airplane that
was able to make powered, sustained and controlled flights.
Their first plane, Flyer I, which was flown for 12 seconds in
1903, was the first man-carrying flight of an airplane powered
by an engine. This station is a model of the 1905 Wright
Flyer III, which the Wright brothers used to make more than
100 flights on nearby Huffman Prairie, perfecting it until it
became the world’s first practical fixed-wing aircraft. This
sculpture was created for MetroParks by Alabama artist
Larry Godwin.
HYDRAULIC JUMP
FOUNTAIN
Inventor: Arthur P. Morgan
Year: after 1913
This invention was created to prevent floods such as the one
that occurred in Dayton in 1913. Morgan developed the idea
for the hydraulic jump fountain on the farm of Col. Edward
Deeds, where they built models in his swimming pool. The
jump sends water through a series of baffles and steps, and
then finally into a low wall that forces the water back onto
itself, releasing its own energy. This technology is still used in
hydrological engineering throughout the world.
POP-TOP CAN
Inventor: Ermal Fraze
Year: 1959
As the legend goes, in the late 1950s, Fraze
was at a family picnic and wanted a beverage, but had forgotten the can opener so
he had to use the bumper of his car. In his frustration, Fraze
vowed to develop an easy-opening can.
CASH REGISTER
Inventor: James Ritty
Year: 1879
Two Dayton brothers came up with the
idea for the “incorruptible cashier” after
losing money to dishonest clerks. On
an ocean voyage, James Ritty, a saloonkeeper, visited the
engine room where he saw a machine rotating the ship’s
propeller. He partnered with his brother John, a machinist,
to develop the first cash register. John Patterson, a local
entrepreneur, bought two of the initial registers; five years
later, he bought the company that held Ritty’s patents sight
unseen and founded National Cash Register (NCR).
ICE CUBE TRAY
Inventor: Arthur Frei
Year: 1950
Working at Frigidaire, Frei developed 23
patents on the ice cube tray. One of his
most significant developments was the lever on top of the
tray that dislodged the cubes. Prior to that, the metal tray
had to be soaked in hot water to free the ice.
Volunteer
Opportunities
RIVERSCAPE
METROPARK
Looking for a fun
way to contribute
to your MetroParks
and enhance the
quality of experience
for park patrons?
There are a number
of ways to volunteer
in
your MetroParks. From
conducting tours to
interacting with children
and adults to greeting
guests or even tending
to the gardens at RiverScape, there’s a volunteer
opportunity to suit any age, physical ability, gender
or skill level. Training is provided. To learn more, visit
metroparks.org/volunteer or call (937) 275-PARK (7275).
Support Your MetroParks
By making a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks
Foundation, you support Five Rivers MetroParks’ mission to
protect the region’s natural heritage and provide outdoor
experiences that inspire a personal connection with
nature. Donations are tax deductible and used to support
programs and special projects. Sponsorships, tribute
benches and trees, and planned giving options also are
available. Visit metroparks.org/donate or call
(937) 275-PARK for more information.
U S E R ’ S
G U I D E
&
M A P
RiverScape MetroPark is located along the Great Miami River in
downtown Dayton on Monument Ave. between North Main Street
and Patterson Blvd. 237 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Parking near RiverScape MetroPark
• Downtown Dayton has roughly 15,000 public
parking spaces.
• Metered parking is free weekdays after 6 pm and all day on the weekends.
• Visit EasyParkDowntown.org for a fully interactive parking map.
It’s our nature.
This park is one of 25 outstanding public facilities operated by
your Five Rivers MetroParks system. Founded in 1963 to serve the
greater Dayton area, MetroParks protects more than 15,800 acres
of open space and provides year-round recreation, education and
conservation opportunities. Facilities are available to the public
free of charge — made possible by Montgomery County citizen
support of a property tax levy.
For More Information
Administrative Offices....(937) 275-PARK (7275)
Ice Rink..................................(937) 278-2607
Website.......................metroparks.org/riverscape
Ranger Assistance
Contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s
Office dispatcher at (937) 535-2580.
It’s our nature.
Printed in Montgomery County, with vegetable-based inks on 10% postconsumer waste paper at a Forest Stewardship Council-certified facility.
0316 • 5000
METROPARKS .ORG
There’s something happening year round at RiverScape MetroPark
RiverScape
MetroPark
Known for breathtaking landscapes,
RiverScape MetroPark has become
a favorite outdoor gathering place in
downtown Dayton. This hotspot has
offered a cool getaway in the middle of
the city with free concerts, educational
programming and the community’s
favorite cultural festivals amid the scene
of floral landscapes, hanging baskets and
relaxing swings.
Visitors to RiverScape MetroPark can
enjoy a covered pavilion perfect for
intimate concerts, festivals, community
events, or just a relaxing lunch with
friends. In the winter, this pavilion
houses an ice skating rink. Amenities for
recreational and commuter cyclists are
now a feature of RiverScape and provide
a welcome rest stop or starting point for
active individuals and families enjoying
our region’s extensive recreational
trail system.
RiverScape MetroPark is a vibrant and
active location, yet a relaxing gathering
spot for families and friends. For more
information visit metroparks.org/
riverscape.
Things to Do
RIVERSCAPE RENTALS –
Whether you want to be on
the river or riding alongside
it, bicycles, and child
accessories are available for
rental Saturdays and Sundays
and holidays, Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day
weekend.
BIKING, WALKING &
RUNNING – Positioned at
the center of more than 330
miles of connected, paved
bikeways in the Dayton region, RiverScape MetroPark
offers something for every walker, runner and cyclist.
RiverScape is the perfect stop whether you are passing
through or just starting out with restrooms, water and
places to rest, as well as a bike air pump and places
to lock your bike. Commuters can join the bike hub
for indoor bike parking, lockers and showers. Visit
metroparks.org/RiverScape for prices and hours.
RIVER LEVEE & WILDLIFE OBSERVATION – Visit the
historical markers on the fountain towers and plaques
describing the effects of the great flood of 1913. Pick
a favorite spot to fish. View the river from a swing on
a beautiful summer evening. Observe wildlife. It is an
excellent place to watch migratory and resident birds
— such as great blue herons, waterfowl and gulls — and
animals such as beavers and snapping turtles.
ICE SKATING – Bring your own ice skates or rent them
here for the whole family! RiverScape offers regular open
skating hours Thanksgiving weekend through February.
Information &
Regulations
Protect RiverScape MetroPark as a natural area: Do
not pick, collect or disturb plant or animal materials of
any kind. Hunting, frog gigging and swimming are not
permitted. Thank you for your cooperation.
PETS – Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and
under control at all times. We ask that guests please
leave their pets at home during events. Pets are not
permitted in the interactive fountain or reflecting pools.
ALCOHOL – Not permitted, unless served by vendors at
a special event in the park.
INTERACTIVE
FOUNTAINS – Water
play is restricted to the
interactive fountains in
Festival Plaza. Please do
not wade in the reflecting
pools.
BICYCLES – Bicycles
are permitted on the
paved bikeways and in
designated areas near
the bike hub. Remember
to yield to slower moving users and to walk your bike
inside the park. Bicycle racks are available in the park but
remember to bring your own lock.
PARKING – Metered parking is free weekdays after
6 pm and all day on the weekends. There are more than
30 parking garages/lots in the downtown area.
FISHING – A state of Ohio fishing license is required to
fish in the Great Miami or Mad rivers.
HOURS – Open year-round, including Christmas and
New Year’s Day.
It’s our
nature.
CONSERVATION
R E C R E AT I O N
E D U CAT I O N
INVENTORS RIVER WALK
DAYTON
INVENTORS
RIVER WALK &
INVENTION
STATIONS
The Dayton Inventors
River Walk includes
seven invention stations
that celebrate Dayton
inventions, sometimes
in surprising ways. The
brick medallions lead the
way along the walk, telling stories of other Dayton
inventors. A medallion at the northeast corner
of Main Street and Monument Avenue claims
Dayton to be the Innovation Capital of the World,
by virtue of the fact that Dayton has had more
inventions per capita than any city in the
United States.
SCORES OF
INNOVATION
STORIES TO TELL
The brick tiles through the
Inventors River Walk tell the
stories of such inventors as
Joe Desch, who cracked the
German “Enigma” code and put the Allies on the
course to victory in World War II. Learn about the
origins of Cellophane, digital watches, recycled
newsprint, Freon and “Star Wars” technology.
INVENTION STATIONS
Use the map on the reverse side of this
brochure to locate the invention stations.
SELF-STARTER
ENGINE
Inventor: Charles Kettering
Year: 1912
Charles F. Kettering led the automotive world in innovation
for decades and holds more patents than any American
except Thomas Edison. Prior to Kettering’s invention, drivers frequently broke their arms crank-starting their cars.
Kettering’s automatic starter ended the pain of turning this
heavy crank. The electric self-starter was introduced on the
1912 Cadillac. The pavilion also includes some of Kettering’s
clever quotes for which he was known.
SEARCH ENGINE
Inventor: Employees of Mead Data
Central, now LexisNexis
Year: 1960s
When searching the Internet for
MetroParks AND RiverScape OR Van Cleve Park NOT
Deed’s Point, you’ll be employing the Boolean search
method developed in downtown Dayton. This method of
searching — which uses “and,” “or” and “not” to define parameters — was so successful it led to LexisNexis becoming
a leading source of information, perhaps the information
source leader in the world.
ENGINE-POWERED
AIRPLANE
Inventors: Wilbur & Orville Wright
Year: 1903
The Wright brothers were the first to invent an airplane that
was able to make powered, sustained and controlled flights.
Their first plane, Flyer I, which was flown for 12 seconds in
1903, was the first man-carrying flight of an airplane powered
by an engine. This station is a model of the 1905 Wright
Flyer III, which the Wright brothers used to make more than
100 flights on nearby Huffman Prairie, perfecting it until it
became the world’s first practical fixed-wing aircraft. This
sculpture was created for MetroParks by Alabama artist
Larry Godwin.
HYDRAULIC JUMP
FOUNTAIN
Inventor: Arthur P. Morgan
Year: after 1913
This invention was created to prevent floods such as the one
that occurred in Dayton in 1913. Morgan developed the idea
for the hydraulic jump fountain on the farm of Col. Edward
Deeds, where they built models in his swimming pool. The
jump sends water through a series of baffles and steps, and
then finally into a low wall that forces the water back onto
itself, releasing its own energy. This technology is still used in
hydrological engineering throughout the world.
POP-TOP CAN
Inventor: Ermal Fraze
Year: 1959
As the legend goes, in the late 1950s, Fraze
was at a family picnic and wanted a beverage, but had forgotten the can opener so
he had to use the bumper of his car. In his frustration, Fraze
vowed to develop an easy-opening can.
CASH REGISTER
Inventor: James Ritty
Year: 1879
Two Dayton brothers came up with the
idea for the “incorruptible cashier” after
losing money to dishonest clerks. On
an ocean voyage, James Ritty, a saloonkeeper, visited the
engine room where he saw a machine rotating the ship’s
propeller. He partnered with his brother John, a machinist,
to develop the first cash register. John Patterson, a local
entrepreneur, bought two of the initial registers; five years
later, he bought the company that held Ritty’s patents sight
unseen and founded National Cash Register (NCR).
ICE CUBE TRAY
Inventor: Arthur Frei
Year: 1950
Working at Frigidaire, Frei developed 23
patents on the ice cube tray. One of his
most significant developments was the lever on top of the
tray that dislodged the cubes. Prior to that, the metal tray
had to be soaked in hot water to free the ice.
PARKFEATURES
RIVERSCAPE METROPARK
THE…PAVILION
North
Shore
Five Rivers
Fountain of Lights
LEGEND:
restrooms
canoes and kayaks permi‹ed
women’s restroom
fishing
men’s restroom
grass/landscaping
picnic area
river/water
rental office
public road
cafe
Great Miami River Trail
parking
park feature
bench swing
Inventors station
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Five Rivers MetroParks supports the
Americans with Disabilities Act by making
reasonable accommodations in serving
individuals with disabilities. Programs and
facilities are offered on a nondiscriminatory
basis. If accommodations are needed, please
call (937) 275-PARK (7275) at least one week
in advance.
This covered pavilion is perfect for enjoying
festivals, community events, free entertainment or just a relaxing lunch with friends. In
the winter, the pavilion houses a large ice
skating rink.
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CAFÉ
RiverScape has two concessions to satisfy
your hunger: The Fountain Snack Bar offers 10
flavors of ice cream, snacks and other tasty
treats throughout the summer. The café is
open for lunch, special events and concerts in
the summer and ice skating in the winter.
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Fountain
Spire
Five Rivers MetroParks is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.
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Scale: 1 inch = .0146 miles (77 feet)
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FIVE…RIVERS…FOUNTAIN…
OF…LIGHTS…
ON
RS
The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights is created
by five water jets housed in concrete towers
and a powerful center geyser. The towers
straddle the confluence of the Great Miami
and Mad rivers just east of the Riverside
Bridge and shoot 2,500 gallons of water per
minute toward the center of the river. The
central geyser rises from the jets to a majestic
200’ in the air. Covering 395,000 square feet
across an 800’ diameter, the Five Rivers
Fountain of Lights is one of the largest
fountains in the world.
Founders
Point
Great Miami River
Bike Rack
Cafe
RAMP
RAMP
Founders Bench
West
Pavilion
Happy Day
Statue
Plaza
Interactive Fountain
Tables and chairs are sca‹ered throughout
the plaza. Enjoy the breeze off the river and
be surrounded by stunning gardens. In
summer, bring the kids in swimsuits to enjoy
the interactive fountain.
Bike Rack
Gardens
Automatic Starter
Search Engine
FESTIVAL…PLAZA…
Pavilion/Ice Rink
Hydraulic Jump
Fountain
RAMP
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Writings and Walk
Bike Hub
East
Pavilion
PAUL…LAURENCE…
DUNBAR…WALK…
Gardens
Pop Top
E. Monument Ave.
E. Monument Ave.
Cash
Register
Wright Flyer III
Harries St.
N. St. Clair St.
N. Jefferson St.
Miami and
Erie Canal Walk
Ice
Cube
Tray
RiverScape pays tribute to the works of
native Daytonian poet Paul Laurence
Dunbar. Several of his poems are etched in
stone at the top of the staircase at the west
end of the park.
GARDENS……
RiverScape MetroPark features beautiful
gardens that include hanging baskets, life-size
flower pots and beds overflowing with
annuals, perennials and tropical plants. Many
of the plants are labeled with botanical and
common names so that you can be inspired
for your own home garden. Our garden
creates an oasis along the river in downtown
Dayton. We invite you to pull up a chair and
enjoy the beauty.
BIKE…HUB……
This facility offers bicycling enthusiasts and
commuters a welcoming place to park their
bikes. In addition to safe, secure bicycle
parking, commuter hub members have access
to private lockers, showers and changing
areas. Water, refreshments, air pumps and
places to rest are available to all cyclists, as
well as rental bicycles on weekends and
holidays Memorial Day through Labor Day.
FOUNDERS…POINT……
Can you name the five rivers of Five Rivers
MetroParks? Confirm your best guess by
wandering down to the five-sided pavilion at
the edge of the Great Miami River, which
features each of the names around its cap.
This pavilion marks the location of where the
first se‹lers of Dayton arrived by boat on
April 1, 1796.
DEED'S…POINT……
Take a short walk over the pedestrian bridge
to Deed's Point to see a bronze statue of
Wilbur and Orville Wright, as well as an
aviation timeline exhibit that serves as an
ongoing reminder of the importance of the
Wright brothers and Dayton to aviation
history. The park also has a monument –
Dayton Peace Accord – that symbolizes the
agreement for peace between Bosnia and
Herzegovina reached in Dayton on
November 21, 1995.